11.17.2011

There’s nothing like a wrapping your hands around a steaming mug of hot chocolate on cold winter days, each sip spreading warmth through your entire body. Wrapping up in a blanket on the couch with a mug and a good book? Heaven. So why not share a little bit of happiness with those around you this holiday season?

Making your own hot chocolate mix is incredibly simple; throw all the ingredients in a bowl and stir! With most of the ingredients probably already in your pantry, in the long run making your own will save you money—one batch makes 16 servings! Plus, knowing that you’re drinking something completely homemade just makes it extra special. Top it with some homemade peppermint marshmallows and you’ve got yourself the perfect winter drink.

The marshmallows are a bit more involved, but well worth it. I’ve been eating handfuls of marshmallows by themselves! Floating on top of my cup of cocoa, they’re the perfect cool bite in my warm drink. Not a peppermint fan? Substitute the peppermint extract for the scraped seeds of 1 vanilla bean, and you’ve got the perfect vanilla bean marshmallows.

Now that you’ve got the mix and the marshmallows, it’s time to share! Fill a small treat bag, disposable piping bag, or Ziploc bag with 1/3 cup of cocoa mix, top with a handful of marshmallows and tie with a pretty ribbon. Put your single serving cocoa package in a nice mug or tumbler, and you’ve got a great gift for a neighbor, boss, or teacher! Or fill a jar with cocoa and marshmallows for more than a single serving!

And don’t forget the gift tag to go with it! I made these cute printable tags just for you! Print out on cardstock, punch a hole and tie it up with festive ribbon!

1. Make marshmallows a day in advance: Spray an 11x17-inch baking pan (or 9x13 baking dish for thicker marshmallows) lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Line pan with parchment paper and lightly spray parchment as well; set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, sprinkle gelatin over ¼ cup of water. Let soften for 5 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, combine remaining ¼ cup water, sugar, corn syrup, and salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Without stirring, continue to cook until syrup reaches 236F on a candy thermometer.
4. With the mixer on low, using a whisk attachment, slowly drizzle the hot syrup into the gelatin. When mixture turns opaque, add peppermint extract. Gradually turn the mixer up to high, beating until the mixture is thick, fluffy, and sticky, about 8 to 10 minutes. (The bowl will probably still be warm to the touch.)
5. Turn the mixture out onto the prepared baking sheet. (Don’t worry about trying to scrape it all out of the bowl. It’s not going to all come out, and you’ll just end up covered in marshmallow. Trust me.) With wet hands, spread the mixture to the edges and smooth the top. Cover with a sheet of parchment paper, lightly sprayed with cooking spray, and let stand overnight.
6. Once set, using a knife, a pizza cutter, or cookie cutter, cut marshmallows into squares. (Cut them as big as you want. Mine are about ½-inch squares) Toss in confectioners’ sugar to coat, tapping lightly to remove any excess.

8
comments:

That just rocks - you're rather good at this home made gift stuff... very impressive - and big thanks for the gift tags to print out as well! I think we're at less than 45 sleeps now until Christmas - best get the apron dusted off...

Post a Comment

The Busty Baker is a newly 30-something retail slave who spends most of her downtime covered in flour in her tiny apartment kitchen, compulsively checking Twitter, and talking to her cat. Someday she'll figure out what she wants to do with her life, but until then, she'll continue to pawn her baked goods off on anyone who will take them.